Vermin concerns as rats seen near homes
Kids can’t get out to play and bins have been chewed
Neighbours in a Newmains street have voiced concerns over a large number of rats spotted in their gardens.
Those living in South Calder Way have alerted Wishaw and District Housing Association (WDHA) about their fears and are hoping to rid the street of the vermin as soon as possible.
Worried resident Carolanne Carr admitted to the Wishaw Press she won’t let her grandchild out to play in her garden after spotting a number of the creatures.
She said: “They have burrowed under my grandkids play hut. “They are all over my garden. “My oldest grandchild is just three years old but I won’t let her outside to play because the rats are out there.
“She loves going outside but I’m petrified.
“The rats have also chewed all my bins as well.
“I called the housing association and they told me it’s not their problem and that we would have these problems because we stay near the burn. “They need to do something about it.” Another South Calder Way resident, Sharon Barrett, added: “I went out and saw the rats were going through my garden and then into my neighbours.
“I have spoken to other neighbours and they have said they have also had problems with rats coming in.
“On one occasion, people actually saw them going up the hill to Woodside Crescent.
“One of my neighbours has already reported the problem to the housing association but they were going to charge her to get rid of the rats.”
WDHA chief executive Niall Gordon confirmed to the Wishaw Press tenants will not be charged a fee and a letter will be sent out to residents in the coming days regarding the problem.
Mr Gordon added: “We have been working with the environmental health team in relation to this problem.
“It will take a couple of weeks to resolve but we are keeping our eye on it.
“Hopefully we can work with the council, Scottish Water and the tenants to resolve this as quickly as possible.
“I would also reiterate to tenants not to leave any food waste outside their homes as this could attract vermin.”